the unique role helping spine patients at Dayton Children's

Few children’s hospitals see as many patients with scoliosis and other spinal conditions as the orthopedic center at Dayton Children’s. We specialize in all types of treatment for scoliosis, including innovative surgical techniques like ApiFix and the BandLoc spinal procedure. And, helping us care for these patients is Jenna Keiffer, spine nurse navigator. Jenna serves as an educator and liaison throughout a patient’s entire spine surgery journey. This position is unique to our program and sets us apart from other scoliosis programs. 

We sat down with Jenna to learn more about her role on Dayton Children’s spine team.

What is your role on Dayton Children’s spine team?
I am the spine nurse navigator! I work with our spine patients from start to finish of their procedure with Dayton Children’s.

How do you work with patients/families that have spine surgery at Dayton Children’s?
I generally will meet them in the clinic when the decision is made to have surgery. Then I will have them come in for an appointment with me that is about 2-3 hours long. During this appointment we discuss education that pertains to pre-surgery, surgery day, inpatient stay and post-operative care.

On the day of surgery, I am the person that does their pre-op care, admits them, and then I go back to the operating room with them until they are asleep. I also come to the post-anesthesia care unit after their surgery and see them when they wake up. I will follow them every day while they are in the hospital. When they go home, I call and check in with them and make sure they are doing okay. And, I am always here for any questions they may have. I am their liaison throughout their entire spine surgery journey!

What is something you want your colleagues and the community to know about the spine team at Dayton Children’s?
The spine team here at Dayton Children’s truly cares about their patients and wants to help them through what can be seen as a scary time of their lives. Our doctors and team are incredibly compassionate and treat our patients like their own children. I am so thankful to work at Dayton Children’s and with this team.

We are constantly trying to improve our practice and bring in new and relevant treatments for scoliosis! I am always available to talk with any colleague, community member or patient family about our program and what we do.

make an appointment with our spinal and scoliosis program 

Few pediatric hospitals see as many pediatric patients with scoliosis and other spinal conditions as the orthopedic center at Dayton Children’s. We specialize in all types of treatment for scoliosis and other spinal problems, including non-surgical and minimally invasive. Our doctors are at the forefront of cutting-edge research and innovation, including being involved in the early development of ApiFix and BandLoc spinal surgery. Continue reading for more information about our spinal and scoliosis program.

Learn more about the program or make an appointment to see one of our orthopedic surgeons (no referral necessary).